OSHA Inspection: KARTCHNER, INC

Issued

Apr 2, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(v):   A body belt with lanyard attached to the boom or basket was not worn by employee(s) working from an aerial lift:  (a) On or about February 13, 2014, the controlling contractor, Kartchner, Inc. did not ensure that its sub-contractor protected its employees from potential falls.  Two (2) sub-contracted employees were engaged in setting pump jack scaffold poles and did not don a personal fall arrest system while extended in a Snorkel aerial lift.    Note to paragraph (b)(2)(v): As of January 1, 1998, subpart M of this part (1926.502(d) provideds that body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system.  The use of a body belt in a tethering system or in a restraint system is acceptatlbe and is regulated under 1926.502(e):  Note: Abatement certification IS NOT required for this item.

Issued

Apr 2, 2014

Abate by

Apr 14, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1): Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level was not protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.  (a)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor Kartchner, Inc. did not ensure that its sub-contractor protected its employees from fall hazards.  Elevated work surfaces, stairs, walkways and/or balconies were not equipped with railing and exposed employees to fall hazards.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Apr 2, 2014

Abate by

Apr 14, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(c)(1): When employees were exposed to falling objects, the employer did not have each employee wear a hard hat and did not erect toeboards, screens, canopy structures or barricades to prevent objects from falling from higher levels:  (a)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor, Kartchner, Inc. did not ensure that its sub-contractor protected its employees from overhead hazards.  Wood debris was observed on a third floor exterior balcony exposing employees working below to overhead hazards.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Apr 2, 2014

Abate by

Apr 14, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.502(a)(2): The employer did not provide and install all fall protection systems required by this subpart for employee(s) and did not comply with all other pertinent requirements of this subpart before employee(s) began the work that necessitates the fall protection.  (a)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor, Kartchner, Inc. did not ensure that its sub-contractor protected its employees from potential falls.  Elevated work surfaces, stairs, walkways, and/or balconies were not equipped with a guard railing system and exposed employees to fall hazards.  Note: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Apr 2, 2014

Abate by

Apr 10, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2): Such programs did not provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job site, materials and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employer:    (a)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor did not ensure sub-contracted employees were protected from ice and snow covered walking and/or working surfaces which threatened employees to hazards of slips and/or falls.    (b)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor did not ensure that sub-contracted employees were protected from potential electricution and/or shock.  Electrical extension cords were found plugged into temporary power and strewn across ice and snow and lying in pools of water; some of the cords were observed wrapped with sticky tape which indicates they were worn and/or frayed.    (c)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor did not ensure that sub-contracted employees were protected from overhead hazards.  Wood debris was observed on the third floor exterior balcony exposing employees working below to overhead hazards.    (d)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor did not ensure that sub-contracted employees exposed to the hazard of being ejected from the basket of an aerial lift donned a personal fall arrest system.     (e)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor did not ensure that elevated work surfaces, stairs, walkways and/or balconies were not equipped with railing and exposing sub-contracted employees to fall hazards.     (Note (1): Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.    Note (2):  Competent Person: one who is capable of identifying existing and/or predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Issued

Apr 2, 2014

Abate by

Apr 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.100(a): Employees working in areas where there was a possible danger of head injury from impact, or falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, were not protected by protective helmets:    (a)    Job site:  On or about February 13, 2014, and times prior thereto, the controlling contractor, Kartchner, Inc. did not ensure that its sub-contractor protected its employees from falls.  Sub-contracted employees were working out of an aerial lift and/or working from balconies with small hand tools while other workers worked below without donning protective head protection.    Note: Abatement certification is required for this item.    The Kartchner Homes, Inc., was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.100(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 313354631, citation number 1, item number 1b and was affirmed as a final order on July 9, 2010, with respect to a workplace located at 370 West 7th South, Rexburg, Idaho 83440.

Issued

Apr 2, 2014

Abate by

Apr 14, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.403(b)(1): Employer did not ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:  (a)  On or about February 13, 2014, and at times prior thereto, the controlling contractor, Kartchner, Inc. did not ensure that its sub-contractor protected its employees from electrical hazards.  Electrical extension cords were found plugged into temporary power and strewn across ice and snow and lying in pools of water; some of the cords were observed wrapped with sticky tape which indicates they were worn and/or frayed.  Note:  Abatement certification IS required for this item.